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From what I know, in Italy the rule is, when eating dinner at a restaurant, to order multiple courses: antipasto (appetizer), primo (typically pasta / soup / etc.), secondo (typically meat), maybe a dessert. But most Italian restaurants in the U.S., at least in my experience, seem to price their courses (primi or secondi) at the same price as an entree in similar restaurants, and serve a portion size of them that would discourage ordering a second course (or especially a second course AND dessert). You'd get too much food ordering four courses and pay a lot of money!
So, I'm asking....do you order multiple courses at Italian restaurants here in the U.S., or do you just do the same thing as in other restaurants, i.e. order appetizers for the table and an entree, and maybe a dessert?
I can't finish half of what an "Italian" restaurant in America puts on the plate as an entree. I can eat for two days on what I take home. Great. I'd rather have a little soup, a little salad, maybe some fish and still wonder what is on the dessert menu.
I like splitting. When I go out with my Mom or someone willing, I order a small salad, split an appetizer, split a dinner and have a dessert. The cheque works out the same as if I'd just had the dinner. I don't feel as though I'm just taking table space, meaning, I didn't go into a busy place at dinnertime and use a table for two hours to eat a salad.
I really like places that offer small plates. A couple of those really hit the spot.
you are right, they serve too much food in Italian restaurants here in the US. but nothing you can do about it. it's that idea that you are getting more for your money. but it doesnt make a balanced meal.
Italian restaurants capitalize on the American stupidity here. Americans are content with eating just pasta and filling up with an unbalanced meal, as that is an upgrade from their TV dinners and rubber chicken nugget dinners. In Italy you eat a small portion of pasta and than have the main dish - usually fish or meat. This is a more expensive process for the restaurants, but Italy is not as much about the profit like the greedy American pigs. Restaurants in Italy usually strive to have the best service and reputation.
If the Italian restaurants here are not capitalizing on this, then they are just clueless to the cultural differences. Maybe Joe schmo American with the Italian last name just thinks everyone in Italy eats a pound of spaghetti with 3 pieces of shrimp on top.
Very few of the Italian restaurants in America are real and respect the tradition of serving many dishes in smaller quantities without charging you an arm and a leg.
Italian restaurants capitalize on the American stupidity here. Americans are content with eating just pasta and filling up with an unbalanced meal, as that is an upgrade from their TV dinners and rubber chicken nugget dinners. In Italy you eat a small portion of pasta and than have the main dish - usually fish or meat. .
Unfortunately, this is true. Pasta is a SIDE DISH like rice or potatoes.
because a lot of people believe that Italian cuisine=pasta and pizza.
. A lot of customers go to these restaurants with the idea that pasta is the main course, no one goes with eating an osobucco in mind. I bet most of them would complain and never come back if the pasta dishes were just tiny portions
Last edited by Hasdrubal; 12-14-2008 at 08:36 AM..
Unfortunately, this is true. Pasta is a SIDE DISH like rice or potatoes.
sorry but in Italian cuisine, pasta and rice are not a side dish, but a first course. only potatoes are a side dish. they have just a small portion of pasta or rice followed by a second course of protein.
sorry but in Italian cuisine, pasta and rice are not a side dish, but a first course. only potatoes are a side dish. they have just a small portion of pasta or rice followed by a second course of protein.
So minniemouse please share with us as I am one of those "stupid Americans" that thought pasta was the main deal in a meal.
What would I be served, in order, if I came to your house and we went to an Italian restaurant?
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I'd rather have a little soup, a little salad, maybe some fish and still wonder what is on the dessert menu.
